Device for applying a substance disposed within a liquid container to an applicator

ABSTRACT

A device that attaches to the valve stem of a non-refillable, hermetically sealed pressurized aerosol container, or a hermetically sealed non-pressurized aerosol-like pump container. The device allows the contents of the container to dispense directly to an applicator without requiring the user to hold the container. The device is designed to allow users to easily actuate the valve and dispense desired amounts of the container&#39;s contents directly from the container onto the applicator.

This application claims the benefit of and incorporates by referenceessential subject matter disclosed in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/708,436 filed on Aug. 16, 2005.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to containers, typically hand sized, for storingand dispensing fluid, and to actuators for dispensing the fluid fromsuch containers in particular.

2. Background Information

A standard aerosol container is typically a small metallic can thatcontains a product to be dispensed, and a propellant to force theproduct through a valve and out of the container. Both the propellantand the product are kept inside the can by a valve assembly which isclinched on the can. The product is dispensed through an actuator (e.g.,a button, spout or spray dome) that is mounted on the valve assembly anddispenses the contents as a stream or mist in a direction sideways orslightly angled to the can when it sits in its normal upright position.Aerosol valve assemblies and actuators are available in a wide varietyof configurations from a diverse variety of venders. An example of atypical valve assembly is the “Standard Precision Valve” manufactured bythe Precision Valve Corporation, 700 Nepperham Ave., Yonkers, N.Y.10703.

Because the aerosol container is hermetically sealed when it is filledand pressurized, it offers an excellent means of storing, transportingand ultimately dispensing its contents without the risk of evaporation,spilling or spoilage. Aerosols are packaged in a controlled environment,so the product chemical formula typically remains consistent from can tocan and production run to production run. Aerosol cans are notrefillable, so it is impossible to contaminate or tamper with the can'scontents, assuring product purity. Finally, aerosols are labeled whenpackaged so the contents are easy to identify and have appropriate useand warning statements.

The above-described physical attributes make aerosols a favored devicefor technicians and service people to use and dispense high purityfluids needed to clean, lubricate and/or otherwise service hightechnology items including (but not limited to) computers, electronicassemblies, optics, bearings, medical devices, etc.

However, service technicians are often confronted with situations whereboth their hands are occupied in performing a specific service relatedtask, and even when they improvise they can not easily free-up a hand tohold and dispense the contents of an aerosol can. An example would be afield service technician who seeks to use an aerosol can to dispense aproduct for wetting or saturating an applicator (e.g., a dry wipe swab,brush, or the like) to assist in cleaning (or lubricating, etc.) acable. With one hand holding the cable, and another holding theapplicator, it can be a challenge to the technician's dexterity todispense the aerosol's contents onto the applicator. In many instances,two hands are required to dispense the product from the aerosol can tothe applicator, thereby creating an unresolvable conflict in performingthe required task with the aerosol cans currently available.

What is needed, therefore, is an actuator for dispensing the container'scontents that is operable to apply the contents to an applicator withoutrequiring both of the operator's hands.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, an actuator for a valve of ahermetically sealed container is provided. In some embodiments, thevalve has a stem and is operated by depressing the stem. The actuatorincludes a body having a port disposed on a first side and a shallowcavity disposed on a second side. The port is sized to receive the valvestem. The first and second sides are opposite one another. In otherembodiments, the valve has a stem cavity, and the actuator includes astem disposed on a first side and a shallow cavity disposed on a secondside. The stem is sized to be received within the stem cavity. Examplesof acceptable sealed containers include aerosol cans and liquidcontainers having non-pressurized pump-type dispensing valves.

The present invention advantageously: 1) helps the operator easilydispense the contents of the aerosol can onto the surface of theapplicator without having to hold the aerosol can; 2) helps to preventliquid from spilling out of the actuator during application; 3) helps toprevent spillage of any residual liquid that may be present in theactuator after application; 4) helps to locate and prevent theoperator's finger from slipping off the actuator while depressing theactuator to actuate the can's valve; and 5) facilitates distribution ofa liquid onto an applicator in a desirable manner.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention method and apparatus will become apparent in light of thedetailed description of the invention provided below and theaccompanying drawings. The apparatus described below constitutes apreferred embodiment of the underlying invention and does not,therefore, constitute all aspects of the invention that will or maybecome apparent by one of skill in the art after consideration of theinvention disclosed overall herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a partially exploded sectional view of a conventionalaerosol can with a present invention actuator embodiment separated from,and disposed above, the can.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a conventional aerosol can with apresent invention actuator embodiment mounted on the valve stem of theaerosol can.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a conventional aerosol can with apresent invention actuator embodiment mounted on the valve stem of theaerosol can, and a protective overcap mounted on the aerosol can.

FIG. 4 shows top view and sectioned side view of an embodiment of thepresent invention actuator.

FIG. 5 shows top view and sectioned side view of an embodiment of thepresent invention actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, an actuator 10 for a valve 12 of a sealedcontainer 14 is provided. The sealed container 14 is typicallyhermetically sealed, non-refillable, and the valve 12 typically includesa stem 16. The valve 12 can be activated by depressing the stem 16.Examples of sealed containers 14 with which the actuator 10 can be usedinclude aerosol cans and liquid containers having non-pressurizedpump-type dispensing valves. As stated above, an example of an aerosolvalve is the “Standard Precision Valve” manufactured by the PrecisionValve Corporation, 700 Nepperham Ave., Yonkers, N.Y. 10703. An exampleof a non-pressurized pump-type valve is the Emsar 32 ms-32 w/1″ cupmodel dispenser offered by Emsar Inc. of 125 Access Road, Stratford,Conn., USA 06615. For sake of clarity, the actuator 10 will be describedbelow for use with sealed container 14 in the form of an aerosol can 14.The actuator 10 is not limited to aerosol cans, however.

The actuator 10 has a body 18 with a port 20 disposed on a bottomsurface side 22, a shallow cavity 24 disposed on a top surface side 26,and an orifice 23 that extends between the port 20 and the shallowcavity 24. The orifice 23 provides fluid communication between the port20 and the shallow cavity 24. A side wall 28 extends between theoppositely disposed first and second sides 22, 26. The actuator body 18shown in FIGS. 1-4 is circularly shaped. In alternative embodiments, thebody 18 can be shaped otherwise; e.g., oblong, etc. The actuator 10 canbe mounted as original equipment on an aerosol can. Alternatively, itmay be provided as an independent device that is offered separately andcan be fit onto aerosol cans by a third party or the operator.

The shallow cavity 24 has a length 30, width 32 and depth 34 (see FIGS.4 and 5). The maximum depth 34 of the shallow cavity 24 is less inmagnitude than either of the length 30 and width 32, and is preferablyless than one-half of the smaller of the length 30 and width 32. Theshape of the shallow cavity 24 can vary to suit the application at hand.For example, for those applications wherein the operator uses anapplicator (e.g., wipe, towel, pad, etc.) in contact with the distalportion of the operator's finger, the shallow cavity 24 is preferablyshaped to receive the applicator and an amount of the distal portion ofthe operator's finger. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the shallowcavity 24 is a shallow oval in cross-section but has a length 30 andwidth 32 equal one another, and a depth 34 less than the length 30 orwidth 32. In other embodiments (see FIG. 5), the shallow cavity 24 maybe oblong-shaped with a length 30 greater than a width 32, and a depth34 that is less than one-half the shorter width 32. In a preferredembodiment, the shallow cavity 24 is oblong-shaped specifically in theform of a distal portion of an operator's finger; i.e., shaped as thepad portion of the finger tip.

In all these embodiments, the shallow cavity 24 advantageously: 1) helpsthe operator easily dispense the contents of the aerosol can 14 onto thesurface of the applicator without having to hold the aerosol can 14; 2)helps to prevent liquid from spilling out of the actuator 10 duringapplication, and prevent spillage of any residual liquid that may bepresent in the actuator 10; 3) helps to locate and prevent theoperator's finger from slipping off the actuator 10 during actuation ofthe can's valve 12; and 4) facilitates distribution of the liquid withinthe applicator.

The port 20 is configured and dimensioned so it is easily mounted on thestem 16 of a standard aerosol valve 12 (e.g., by press fit). The orifice23 is positioned and sized to receive liquids exiting the stem 16 of thevalve 12. The actuator 10 securely fits on the valve stem 16 so theactuator 10 can be transported and stored as an integral part of theaerosol can 14 without falling off, yet can be removed if so desired.For those applications where the actuator 10 is provided to a thirdparty or the operator for mounting on a standard aerosol can, the port20 is configured and dimensioned to have a light press-fit with the stem16 of the can valve 12.

The actuator 10 (shown in FIGS. 1-4 as circularly shaped) is sized topermit the standard aerosol valve 12 to be actuated when the filledaerosol can 14 is situated in an upright position on a table or othersuitable location surface. As stated above, the actuator 10 enables theoperator to dispense liquid product 36 from an aerosol can 14 withoutphysically holding the can 14.

The actuator 10 is also sized so that it may fit under any standard,undamaged aerosol protective overcap 38 to both prevent the unintendedactuation of the valve 12 while in transport or storage, and to keep theactuator 10 free from contamination such as dirt and dust.Alternatively, the overcap 38 may be described as preventing normaloperational access to the actuator 10, while at the same time preventingthe unintended actuation of the valve 12 while in transport or storage,and to keep the actuator 10 free from contamination such as dirt anddust. For example, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a circularly shaped actuator 10embodiment having a diameter 40 and a sidewall height 42 that enablesthe actuator 10 to fit within the standard sized, undamaged protectiveovercap 38; e.g., an actuator 10 diameter that is less than the diameterof the aerosol can 14, and a sidewall height 42 that enables thestandard protective overcap 38 to be attached to the can 14 withoutdepressing the actuator 10.

The actuator 10 may be made from any suitable machined or molded metal,or alternatively from any suitable machined or molded plastic.

Since many changes and variations of the disclosed embodiment of theinvention may be made without departing from the inventive concept, itis not intended to limit the invention otherwise than as required by theappended claims. For example, it is disclosed above that the presentactuator 10 may be used with a liquid container 14 having anon-pressurized pump-type dispensing valve 12. Such valves typicallyhave a stem that is linearly translatable along an axis, and the valve12 is operable by pumping the stem along the axis. The present actuator10 may be mounted on the stem 16 of such a non-pressurized pump-typedispensing valve 12. As another example, the valves 12 are describedabove as having stems 16. In alternative embodiments, the valve 12 mayhave a stem cavity in place of a stem. In these embodiments, theactuator 10 may include a stem disposed on the bottom side of the body18, which stem is sized to fit within the stem cavity of the valve 12.

1. An actuator for a valve of a sealed container, which valve has a stemand is: operated by depressing the stem, the actuator comprising: a bodyhaving a port disposed on a first side, which port is sized to receivethe valve stem, and a shallow cavity disposed on a second side of thebody, wherein the first and second sides are opposite one another, andthe shallow cavity and port are in fluid communication with one another.2. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the body further includes an orificeextending between the port and the shallow cavity.
 3. The actuator ofclaim 1, wherein the shallow cavity has a width, a length, and a depth,and the depth is less than the width and the length.
 4. The actuator ofclaim 3, wherein the length of the shallow cavity equals the width ofthe shallow cavity, and the depth of the shallow cavity is less thanone-half the length or width.
 5. The actuator of claim 3, wherein thelength of the shallow cavity is greater than the width of the shallowcavity, and the depth of the shallow cavity is less than one-half thewidth.
 6. The actuator of claim 5, wherein the shallow cavity has ashape substantially similar to a distal portion of a human finger.
 7. Anaerosol can, comprising: a body; an actuator having a port disposed on afirst side, and a shallow cavity disposed on a second side of theactuator, wherein the first and second sides are opposite one another,and the port and the shallow cavity are in fluid communication with oneanother; a valve having a stem received in the port, which valve isoperable by depressing the stem; and an overcap selectively attachableto the body to cover the actuator in a manner that prevents normaloperational access to the actuator.
 8. The can of claim 7, wherein theshallow cavity has a width, a length, and a depth, and the depth is lessthan the width and the length.
 9. The can of claim 8, wherein the lengthof the shallow cavity equals the width of the shallow cavity, and thedepth of the shallow cavity is less than one-half the length or width.10. The can of claim 7, wherein the length of the shallow cavity isgreater than the width of the shallow cavity, and the depth of theshallow cavity is less than one-half the width.
 11. The can of claim 10,wherein the shallow cavity has a shape substantially similar to a distalportion of a human finger.
 12. The can of claim 7, wherein the actuatoris operable to actuate the valve when the can is standing upright on asubstantially horizontal surface, by depressing the actuator and valvestem attached thereto without requiring support of the can.
 13. A fluidcontainer, comprising: a body; a pump valve with a stem translatablealong an axis, which valve is operable by pumping the stem along theaxis; an actuator having a port disposed on a first side, which port issized to receive the stem, and a shallow cavity disposed on a secondside of the actuator, wherein the first and second sides are oppositeone another, and wherein the stem is received within the port; and anovercap selectively attachable to the body to cover the actuator in amanner that prevents normal operational access to the actuator.
 14. Thecontainer of claim 13, wherein the shallow cavity has a width, a length,and a depth, and the depth is less than the width and the length. 15.The container of claim 14, wherein the length of the shallow cavityequals the width of the shallow cavity, and the depth of the shallowcavity is less than one-half the length or width.
 16. The container ofclaim 14, wherein the length of the shallow cavity is greater than thewidth of the shallow cavity, and the depth of the shallow cavity is lessthan one-half the width.
 17. An actuator for a valve of a sealedcontainer, which valve has a stem cavity and is operated by inserting astem into the stem cavity and depressing the stem, the actuatorcomprising: a body having a stem disposed on a first side, which stem issized to fit within the stem cavity of the valve, a shallow cavitydisposed on a second side of the body, wherein the first and secondsides are opposite one another, and an orifice extending through thestem to the shallow cavity.
 18. The actuator of claim 17, wherein theshallow cavity has a width, a length, and a depth, and the depth is lessthan the width and the length.
 19. The actuator of claim 18, wherein thelength of the shallow cavity equals the width of the shallow cavity, andthe depth of the shallow cavity is less than one-half the length orwidth.